The Meaford Coyotes Track Club sent 16 members to the 7th annual Flying Angels International Track and Field Meet on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, at York University, with most of the Coyotes competing in two events over the two days.

Teams came from Bermuda, New York City, and New Jersey, plus a small contingent from England and Germany, as well as familiar teams from Toronto, London, Kingston, Caledon, and Burlington.

“Our team came ready to compete and looking for many personal best times as well as podium finishes, and they did not disappoint. We had two days of perfect racing conditions, with warm temperatures and light winds,” noted team coach Kevin Hooper. “Saturday's events were amazing for our 13 members as we posted medal performances in five of the six distance races we entered, earning three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal, as well as six personal best performances and three others just missing their best times, with our 13 Coyotes that competed.”

The Coyotes found even more success on Sunday.

“Sunday's performances were nothing short of outstanding!” said Hooper. “It was another perfect day for racing with overcast, warm temps with a few minutes of showers during the early 800m races. We had 13 competitors in seven different 800m events and came home with seven medals, ten personal best performances, two season best performances and a couple more amazing improvements. Overall our 16 Coyotes won 13 medals and set 16 personal best times over the two days of competition.”

Outstanding performances came from Meaford's Kara Tichbourne in the 11-12 year old Girls 1500m as she finally broke the five minute barrier, running a 4:55.13, knocking off 8 seconds from her best. Jennie Lyman of Owen Sound demolished her previous 800m best time by 20 seconds as she surprised everyone with her second place finish of 2:27.42 in the 15-17 year old Girls 800.

Ethan Pentland (Durham) and Meaford's Spencer Book both improved their 1500m times by over 9 seconds as Ethan placed second in the 13-14 year old Boys event, and Book taking photo-finish second in the 15-17 year old race. The next day, Spencer shaved another 7 seconds off his 800m time.

Olivia Latham (Owen Sound) shattered her 800m time by 9 seconds in the 9-10 year old Girls race, stopping the clock at 2:51.72. Olivia Karn (Coldwater) won double gold in the 13-14 year old 800m and 1500m events as she is getting back into top form.

For more information about the team, check out their website at www.meafordcoyotes.com

Results: [* = personal best // ! = season best]

7-8 year old Boys (2009-2010)

400m

Brennan Law (2009) - 6th/15 @ 122.23*

Jackson Squire (2009) - 9th/15 @ 1:23.73*

800m

Brennan Law (2009) - 2nd/6 @ 3:04.55*

Jackson Squire (2009) - 3rd/6 @ 3:07.43*

9-10 year old Girls (2007-2008)

800m

Olivia Latham (2008) - 3rd/11 @ 2:51.72*

Lillie Campbell (2007) - 9th/11 @ 3:14.23*

1200m

Taryn Lee (2007) - 1st/4 @ 4:26.40

Olivia Latham (2008) - 3rd/4 @ 4:45.96

9-10 year old Boys (2007-2008)

800m

Luke House (2007) - 8th/12 @ 2:58.85*

Wes Brown (2007) - 10th/12 @ 3:03.57*

1200m

Luke House (2007) - 5th/7 @ 4:41.89

Wes Brown (2007) - 6th/7 @ 4:51.78*

11-12 year old Girls (2005-2006)

800m

Payton Dodd (2005) - 3rd/20 @ 2:33.20*

Sydney Martin (2005) - 11th/20 @ 2:55.11*

McKenna Karn (2005) - 15th.20 @ 3:03.28!

1500m

Kara Tichbourne (2005) - 1st/17 @ 4:55.13*

Payton Dodd (2005) - 10th/17 @ 5:44:35

Sydney Martin (2005) - 14th/17 @ 6:05.80

McKenna Karn (2005) - 15th/17 @ 6:20.99

13-14 year old Girls (2003-2004)

800m - Olivia Karn (2003) - 1st/10 @ 2:26.64!

1500m- Olivia Karn (2003) - 1st/6 @ 5:10.41!

13-14 year old Boys (2003-2004)

1500m - Ethan Pentland (2003) - 2nd/8 @ 4:31.77*

15-17 year old Girls (2000-2002)

800m

Jenelle Lyman (2002) - 2nd/8 @ 2:27.42*

Julia Latham (2000) - 5th/8 @ 2:37.27

15-17 year old Boys (2000-2002)

800m - Spencer Book (2002) - 4th/5 @ 2:05.48*

1500m- Spencer Book (2002) - 2nd/4 @ 4:30.70*

Photo: Olivia Karn won double gold in the 13-14yo Girls 800m and 1500m events at the Flying Angels International Track and Field Meet. She out-sprinted two girls from Bermuda in the 800m event to run a season's best time of 2:26.64.